Reading time:

7 minutes

What you‘ll find in this article:

What counts as a joint supplement

Joint supplements, like all complementary foods, are add-ons to an established, health focussed routine. They support a broader plan that includes weight control, gentle, everyday movement, and occasional pain control: particularly for golden-oldies. The most common supplement families are glucosamine compounds, marine lipids like green-lipped mussel extracts, omega-3 fish oils, and supportive nutrients like vitamins C and E. Vets across the world now agree that dog arthritis care, and joint care more broadly, works best when you mix approaches: weight, exercise, pain relief, home tweaks and supplements. Supplements are seen as extra support, not a stand-alone fix (COAST Development Group, 2023).

Glucosamine: where it sits

Glucosamine is a natural compound found in cartilage: the tough, springy tissue that cushions joints. Due to its familiarity with joint care in humans, Glucosamine is often the first ingredient dog owners look at, although evidence in dogs is mixed. A double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial found a glucosamine-chondroitin product did not outperform the placebo on objective pain outcomes, while marine lipid products and an NSAID did (Kampa et al. 2023). That doesn’t mean Glucosamine doesn’t have a place within a joint care product, it means it is just one piece of the puzzle, and a stand-alone Glucosamine supplement isn’t likely as effective as a blended formula.

Green-Lipped Mussel and other marine lipids

Green-lipped mussel (Perna canaliculus) is a shellfish from New Zealand, so named because of the green ‘lip’ which runs around the centre of its shell. GLM provides a mix of omega-3s and unique marine lipids, and has been shown to improve limb use compared with a placebo, in dogs with pain or mobility issues (Kampa et al. 2023). Under objective measures, this research suggests green-lipped mussel could be as effective as NSAIDs on reducing pain associated with movement, without pursuing medical intervention. Look for products that make the extract type clear, and use supplements alongside the usual lifestyle jigsaw ‘pieces’ for the best results.

Science-y bit: NSAID stands for non-steroidal inflammatory drugs, a class of medications used to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and lower fever. Common examples include ibuprofen and naproxen, which are available over-the-counter, as well as prescription-strength options. 

Omega-3 fish oils (EPA and DHA)

Senior dogs with osteoarthritis may benefit from diets or supplements higher in EPA and DHA, the building blocks of omega-3. Whilst it’s important to stick to pet-safe products, and coordinate with your vet if your dog has a pancreatitis risk or is on other treatments, research found that dogs with osteoarthritis had improved weight-bearing ability after fish oil omega-3 supplementation (Roush et al. 2010), compared to those without it.

Picking a product: labels, quality & safe use

Check the active ingredients list, per-scoop amounts, batch or lot details, and whether the brand explains its quality checks and sourcing information. It’s also important to use supplements according to their specific directions, such as the number of scoops/quantity of chews according to your dog’s weight. Guidance recommends staged care, so owners and vets can monitor a dog’s response to supplements and/or lifestyle changes consistently (COAST Development Group, 2023). Small, incremental steps produce better results than massive changes all at once, and it’s also easier to adjust the plan according to how your dog is getting on.

How to judge progress & when to talk to your vet

Objective, clinical measures like peak vertical force (essentially how much weight your dog can bear through a sore leg/joint) are precise, but consistent, repeatable observations in your own home are as effective in gauging changes and improvements in your dogs mobility over time (Roush et al. 2010). Track the same two or three daily movements and review every two to six weeks: difficulty/ease of getting off their bed first thing in the morning, agreeable walking distance, videos of limping/hobbling on walks or around the house. Speak to your vet if stiffness worsens, mobility declines, or you’re considering combining multiple supplements with prescribed medications.